John Nicholas

Profile

I am available to work with individuals and couples. I have been practicing for over twenty years in both private practice and as a psychotherapist in the NHS.

Jungian analytical psychotherapy offers an exploratory space in which to consider difficult thoughts and feelings - something that may not be possible to do within your usual context. It is not assumed that there are easy solutions but that over time ways forward can emerge that are often unexpected.  In some therapies symptom removal is the main aim, whereas in analytic psychotherapy time is given to thinking more deeply about the causes of distress, so that unique solutions can gradually be found. In my experience it is not unusual for someone to enter psychotherapy with pressing issues that - almost without noticing - slowly abate making space for the deeper issues to come into focus. A greater understanding of yourself can result and perhaps more empathy towards those around you too.

The therapeutic relationship is central to the process as the task of understanding what gets in the way of growth - both in the past and the present - may be helped by the natural tendency for difficulties and patterns of relating that occur in one's ordinary life to arise in the relationship with the therapist. This gives the opportunity to address issues in the here and now, generating a new experience, which is conducive to change. Dreams and imagination can play an important part in this process.

For couples seeking help, their present problems will often reflect underlying difficulties that have their origin in each of the partners' experience in earlier life. These difficulties can have a powerful impact upon how the couple relationship formed initially and developed over time. Couple psychotherapy aims to explore and understand this background and its affect upon present problems and to assist the couple in coming together in a thoughtful way to address these often unconscious underlying issues. I offer an initial consultation that provides the opportunity to set out the situation and to think about ways forward. As preparation it may be helpful for you to each have written an account of how you see things in your relationship and what you are hoping for from seeking help. After one or two consultation meetings ongoing weekly work can be planned if appropriate. Sometimes it is necessary to have two couple therapists involved in four-way sessions.

Training, Qualifications & Experience

I was, for ten years, directly involved with the training of Jungian analytical psychotherapists as a member of the Jungian Training Committee of the West Midlands Institute of Psychotherapy.
A good part of my practice is devoted to supervision of psychotherapists and counsellors both qualified and in training.

I have had extensive training in both counselling and analytical psychotherapy.
The training I have undertaken includes:
Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling, Birkbeck College, University of London. 1987-89.
Introduction to Psychoanalytic Group Therapy. Tavistock Centre, London.
Four year qualifying course in Jungian Analytical Psychotherapy, West Midlands Institute of Psychotherapy (1992-1996).
Professional Doctorate in Couple Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy at the Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships.

My professional affiliations are as follows:
Full professional membership of the West Midlands Institute of Psychotherapy.
Professional Member of the British Society of Couple Psychotherapists and Counsellors.


Registered with the UKCP and the BPC.

Areas of counselling I deal with

• Abortion
• Abuse
• Addiction(s)
• Adoption Issues
• Anger Management
• Anxiety
• Asperger's Syndrome
• Bereavement
• Bullying
• Couples Counselling
• Depression
• Domestic Violence
• Eating Disorders
• Emotional Abuse
• Low Self-Confidence
• Low Self-Esteem
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Personality Disorders
• Physical Abuse
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Relationship Issues
• Self Harm
• Sexual Abuse
• Sexual Issues
• Sexuality
• Spirituality
• Stress
• Trauma
• Work Related Issues

Therapies Offered

• Psychoanalytical and Psychodynamic
  - Psychoanalytic Therapy
  - Psychodynamic Therapy

Fees

I have a sliding scale linked to the ability to pay for sessions.The session fee would be discussed and agreed upon during the initial meeting(s).

Further Information

Month by month more people enter the term "Anger Management" into the Counselling Directory search tool than any term. If you feel that your anger is out of control and having an impact upon your life and your relationships it may be time to seek some help.  If this is relevant to you then I am available to speak with you about some of the options available to help with this kind of problem.

Member Organisation(s)